Are tights unisex?

[trybest]

First of all, I don't want to come across as a conservative, old-fashioned mum, because that's not who I am.

A few days ago, I was visiting my sister in Poland. While we were strolling through the shops, I was surprised to find that they were selling tights for boys up to at least age 10 (not long johns or leggings, but actual footed tights!). She explained to me that it's completely normal for boys to wear them under their trousers during winter.

I mentioned that my DS (he recently turned 9 and is in Year 4) often complains about how cold it is, especially in the mornings during winter. She eventually convinced me to buy him several pairs.

At home, he initially tried on the tights reluctantly, but in the end, he agreed to give them a try under his school trousers when it gets cold enough in winter.

My DH is worried that he might get bullied at school if anyone finds out, while my DD (11) thinks it’s perfectly fine for a boy to wear them.

AIBU to think tights are unisex for children?

Kids your son's age will pick on any sign of non-conformity or difference but it's an awful mentality the answer to that isn't necessarily to encourage conformity - your job as a parent is to let them know that it's OK to be different. So I'd be guided by your son. If he really wants to wear the tights, let him. If he's worried himself about the reaction, don't force them.

Completely agree with this from @gannett . Teaching boys to conform so they don't get picked on is just storing up unexpressed feelings for them, surely. We need to teach boys not to do this.

Men on building sites used to wear them. I don't know if they still do, I suppose more alternatives like thermal underwear are available now.

I have worn tights.

Years ago, as a motorcyclist in cold weather. It's a very effective way of keeping warm in what amounts to cold 60mph+ winds, but when taking them off! Oh boy, its uncomfortable leaving all the leg hair sticking out at right angles!

Thermals bunch up with his socks. Already tried that :(

I agree with both of you! You've expressed that very well. Yes, he wants to wear his tights when it gets cold.
Although IMHO I don't think they will tease him. He has many friends, and the children are nice to each other, from what he tells me.

They are clearly not seen as unisex in the UK otherwise they would be in the boys clothes aisles too.

At that age I think he'll get a lot of mocking off his friends if they find out

Maybe wear them in days with no pe so noone knows. My dad was a builder and they all wore tights under their jeans back in the 70s and eighties

I don’t understand why his socks fall down with thermals? Honestly OP, I know it shouldn’t matter and it might be fine but do you really want to risk him being picked on for this? It could follow him to secondary school even! Not a gamble I would take…

You're saying he wants to wear them - but also that you've persuaded him to try them.

Does he just want to be not cold?

I agree that it's a shame we're concerned about a boy being teased for his clothing and we should all be able to wear what we want. But I hadn't read the OP as this being something he did actually want to wear.

I still don't understand why socks fall down or bunch up with thermals or running footless tights.

I wouldn't set him up for potential bullying.
Sounds more like you have a sock problem. How about better socks that can manage to stay up with thermals/sports leggings?

Have you tried skins?

I have to say the parents saying your son will be bullied, perhaps those parents need to raise their children better.

Builders, fishermen.. men doing lots of outdoors activities might have tights/leggings on in winter. But young boys aren't mature enough to see it for the practicality it is - unless it's something branded and obviously sports related.

It's so silly isn't it why a boy couldn't wear a pair of tights. I suppose that will change in the next few years

Bloody ridiculous in this day and age women can wear whatever they want and men are still so restricted - who cares?! But I do totally understand PP worries about bullying, god were so backwards sometimes

I guess it's just slight cultural differences, Poland is much colder so makes sense to wear layers.
I've seen lots of baby & toddler boys in tights in the UK but not so much once they get to school age. No reason why not though
Thermals are a thing though but they are more like leggings without feet, DH wears them to go walking in winter!

I wear thermals a lot for outdoor activities in winter and I've never noticed any issues with socks bunching or rolling down. If anything, my thermals tend to keep my socks in place. I tend to use sports thermals that have Spandex/elastane/elastane in them and I always pick good quality, well fitting socks. Maybe experiment a bit if the tights don't work out.

As to bullying, that tends to be more down to the individual than whatever thing they might get picked on for. If he is popular and/or known for sticking up for himself he'll be fine. If he's really popular he might even start a new trend. Just be aware that bullying could be a possibility and don't pressure him if he decides he wants to stop wearing tights.

Aren't there things to hold up socks ?

Yes they’re unisex and better than having a cold child. Naysayers need to get over it with the nonsense gender enforcement.

Could your son wear chino's and merino socks in the winter ?

I did that with my own son when he was younger. Although his school wasn't strict about uniform. As long as it was the right colour

What a ridiculous comment. Maybe those parents have experienced their kids being bullied or experienced it themselves as children?

As an infant teacher I have seen lots of Eastern European boys wearing tights under trousers in the winter, it only really gets noticed if they need to get changed for whatever reason. But I would say classrooms in winter can get very warm so unless his school has lots of outdoor learning he might end up more uncomfortable from being too hot than too cold without the tights.

Always put tights on my boys. One is 11 and wore them until about 5 except for in year 5 had them on for school for a bit but not on p.e. days.

My youngest is 5 now and I put them on him more for sensory issues and his refusal to keep socks on but is happy with tights.

I only ever considered it because h&m sell them specifically as boys tights yes in the UK. So the fact they had cars and planes on helped when younger but now just plain ones. Let him wear them if he wants to wear them. Tell him other boys might not be great about them but hopefully they'll be fine but just pre warn him.

I have never heard of any man wearing tights who wasn’t also into cross dressing. Thermals yes. If you put him in tights he’ll look back when he’s older and think that was strange. I don’t understand all the mumsnetters here saying it’s common for guys to wear tights when it clearly isn’t. Also they’re not that warm anyway

Personally I hate them, they always ride down and you need to keep pulling them up